SHOCKING MINE FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 186, 12 January 1912, Page 5

SHOCKING MINE FATALITY.

TWO MENi SUFFOCATED. OTHERS INJURED. . •■ PITEOUS SCENES. By Telegraph—Prew Association. Thames, Last Night. . A fatality, by which two men, Jame* Williams, an elderly man, and Thos. Guy, 30 years of age, \o& their lives occurred in the May mine today. Guy, with five other miners named Crawley, Adams*, James, Vercoe, and Mulchy, with G- Herivel as shift boss, were working in the etope above No. 6 level, which for years has .been immime from gas. Williams was working on a leader in another part of the mine above the same level. Adams was sent for water for drills, but soon returned, shouting a warning that the gas was. in the level. The miners descended the ladder-way, and reached the level in safety. The gas -was present in great volumes, and soon one candle after another went out, until a solitary candle, held by Adams, remained alight. Soon this went out, and in the dark a deadly struggle ensued to reach the chamber above, where fresh air flowed.

Several fell in tine journey, but all reached safety, except Guy, Williams, and Crawley. Assistance was secured, and the sufferers, who were all in a state of collapse, were sent to the surface. The three men named could not be found. A search was then made, and Crawley and Guy were first found. The former had* evidently been overcome while endeavoring to rescue Guy, for he was supporting the latter's head. Both were taken to the surface and artificial means to restore respiration used.

Crawiley recovered sufficiently to be taken to the hospital, but Guy died soon after he reached the surface.

Search in the meantime was being made for Williams. It was evident he had missed his way in the darkness, for he was lying in the tunnel leading to the ' machine. He had also received a serioua injury to his head and was dead' when brought to the surface. There was a pitiful scene at the mouth of the shaft, when the wives of the deceased men arrived.

_ A coroner's inquirv was opened and formal evidence of identification of the deceased was grwn. The scene of the accident .will be inspected to-morrow, after which the inquiry will be adjourned, as several important witnesses as to what caused the inrush of gas have to be considered.